Merrick County

Local offices in Merrick County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Veterans · County office

  Merrick County Veterans Service Office

  1510 18th Street, Central City, NE 68826

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits helpGet help understanding veterans benefits and preparing applications and supporting documents.
  • VA medical care eligibilityGet help applying to have your eligibility for VA medical center care determined.
  Call 308-946-2466DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on merrickcounty.ne.gov

• Public health · Regional office

  Central District Health Department

  1137 South Locust Street, Grand Island, NE 68801

  Help here

  • Public health servicesThe department provides public health services for residents of Hall, Hamilton, and Merrick counties.
  Call 308-385-5175DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cdhd.ne.gov

• Public health · Regional office

  Central District Health Department WIC Clinic, Central City

  United Presbyterian Church, Central City, NE

  Help here

  • WICEligible families can get food support, breastfeeding help, nutrition education, and referrals for pregnant or postpartum people and children under five.
  Call 308-385-5188DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cdhd.ne.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  Midland Area Agency on Aging, Merrick County Senior Center

  803 C Avenue, Central City, NE 68826

  Help here

  • Senior meals and activitiesOlder adults can visit for group meals, home delivered meals, exercise classes, and social activities.
  Call 308-946-5176DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on midlandareaagencyonaging.org

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Community Action, Central Nebraska

  715 16th Street, Central City, NE 68826

  Help here

  • Emergency food assistanceResidents can ask about food pantry help available in Merrick County.
  • Housing and utility assistanceResidents can ask about emergency housing, rent, utility, and energy assistance.
  Call 308-946-3794DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on centralnebraskacap.com

• State office · State office

  Nebraska DMV Driver Licensing Office, Merrick County

  Merrick County Courthouse, 1510 18th Street, Central City, NE 68826

  Help here

  • Driver licenses and state ID cardsApply for or renew a driver license, permit, or state ID card at the courthouse office.
  Call 308-946-2171DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on dmv.nebraska.gov

• Library · City office

  Central City Public Library

  Help here

  • Library servicesMerrick County residents can use the library’s collections and other public library services.
  Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on centralcitypubliclibrary.org

Merrick County, Nebraska website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Cities and towns in Merrick County

• Central City
• Chapmannot checked yet
• Clarksnot checked yet
• Palmernot checked yet
• Silver Creeknot checked yet

Nebraska programs by kind of help

These are run by Nebraska and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
• TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• HealthCare.gov

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.

  Call 1-800-318-2596
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026